Meyer denies turning in UF coach

Published: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 12:04 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 12:04 p.m.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer directs his players before the start of their spring game last year. Meyer denied turning in a UF coach for secondary recruiting violations.

The Associated Press

The Sun has learned that the Buckeyes have turned Florida in for secondary recruiting violations in each of the last two years. In each case, Florida's staff was cleared of any wrongdoing by the SEC and NCAA.

FoxSports first reported that Urban Meyer turned Florida in recently for an illegal “bump” or contact with Brooklyn Erasmus running back Curtis Samuel. UF running backs coach Brian White was reported to have had the illegal contact.

As a result, Florida coach Will Muschamp had to take White off the road for three days while the investigation took place. White was hired at Florida by Meyer and retained by Muschamp.

Meyer, Florida's coach from 2005-10, denied to The Sun that he was responsible for any accusations.

“It is absolutely not true that I turned in the University of Florida,” Meyer said in a text message. “Weeks after, I learned our compliance guy (without any coach involvement) forwarded an article to the conference office. This is standard procedure. Once again, zero coach involvement.”

According to sources, Ohio State also turned Florida in last year concerning the recruitment of defensive end Jordan Sherit of Tampa Hillsborough over a ride he took to Gainesville with a friend who was also on the UF football team.

Sherit ended up signing with Florida. Florida did not make the latest cut for Samuel's services. Ohio State did, along with Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami and Rutgers.

Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at dooleyp@gvillesun.com. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.

<p>The Ohio State-Florida rivalry continues to burn white-hot.</p><p>The Sun has learned that the Buckeyes have turned Florida in for secondary recruiting violations in each of the last two years. In each case, Florida's staff was cleared of any wrongdoing by the SEC and NCAA.</p><p>FoxSports first reported that Urban Meyer turned Florida in recently for an illegal “bump” or contact with Brooklyn Erasmus running back Curtis Samuel. UF running backs coach Brian White was reported to have had the illegal contact.</p><p>As a result, Florida coach Will Muschamp had to take White off the road for three days while the investigation took place. White was hired at Florida by Meyer and retained by Muschamp.</p><p>Meyer, Florida's coach from 2005-10, denied to The Sun that he was responsible for any accusations.</p><p>“It is absolutely not true that I turned in the University of Florida,” Meyer said in a text message. “Weeks after, I learned our compliance guy (without any coach involvement) forwarded an article to the conference office. This is standard procedure. Once again, zero coach involvement.”</p><p>According to sources, Ohio State also turned Florida in last year concerning the recruitment of defensive end Jordan Sherit of Tampa Hillsborough over a ride he took to Gainesville with a friend who was also on the UF football team.</p><p>Sherit ended up signing with Florida. Florida did not make the latest cut for Samuel's services. Ohio State did, along with Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami and Rutgers.</p><p><i>Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at dooleyp@gvillesun.com. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.</i></p>